BATLEY and Spen MP Tracy Brabin has called on Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt to reject “backdoor privatisation” plans that could lead to a two-tier workforce in hospitals.

Mid Yorkshire NHS Trust, which runs Dewsbury and District, Pinderfields and Pontefract hospitals, has agreed plans to transfer the contracts of around 900 staff members to a “wholly owned subsidiary company”.

Cleaners, IT specialists and maintenance workers are among those who could be affected by the plans as they would no longer be NHS employees.

Unison has called the move an “insult” to workers and will be balloting over potential strike action.

Ms Brabin said: “I am calling on Jeremy Hunt to reject the plans, and I will ensure he, along with NHS bosses, know they have a fight on their hands.”

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